Jones High School girls' basketball assistant coach charged with rape

A volunteer girls' basketball coach at Jones High School was arrested after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

Herbert Thomas, 38, was booked into the Orange County Jail Friday and is facing two counts of sexual battery. Investigators said Thomas had a sexual relationship with one of his players, a minor.

Thomas, who is known as Coach Herb T., was the girls' assistant basketball coach at Jones High School and also is affiliated with the Florida Girls Basketball League, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were informed of the allegations recently and executed a search warrant at Thomas' southeast Orlando home. It's unclear what, if anything, was recovered.

Thomas was a volunteer coach at the high school for about two years and was not paid, said Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman Kathy Marsh.

School officials learned of Thomas' arrest Monday and informed him his role as a volunteer coach was revoked and he was "no longer welcome back at the district," Marsh said.

Thomas posted $20,000 bail late Monday and is expected to be released Tuesday, according to jail spokesman Allen Moore.

Thomas will be on home confinement once he is released.

In a press release, investigators say they are concerned about the possibility of other victims because of Thomas' "authority, position and relationships with minor players.''

Investigators fear Thomas may have other victims and urge anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Office.